Principal Urban Designer

Excellent opportunity to join one of London's most forward thinking authorities and work on one of the most interesting and diverse project caseloads you could hope for. As a Principal Urban Designer you will play a key role within the wider planning team by assisting with negotiations on a range of developments to ensure they are appropriate within their context, optimising quality and ensuring the design is fit for purpose and in line with the wider planning objectives and policy framework of the area.

You will join an ambitious team of urban designers, architects, and conservation specialists delivering innovative approaches to the built environment alongside transformational growth. Our clients ambitious emerging Local Plan and Heritage Strategy SPD is are putting high quality design, local distinctiveness and community benefits at the heart of placemaking.

You will be required to provide lead specialist design advice on pre-application discussions and Planning Performance Agreement schemes in relation to architectural design / urban design. You will work with colleagues across the Planning Service, the councils Design Review Panel, developers, agents and communities to help deliver positive outcomes for the borough. There will also be opportunities to become involved in shaping our client's emerging Local Plan, growth strategies, corporate projects and housing delivery.

To apply you will need previous experience within a local authority setting and you will need a good understanding of the build environment in London. You will need a relevant, RTPI recognised, first degree and ideally you will also hold further specialist qualifications in the field of urban design or architecture. Good negotiation skills are essential and you will need to have an excellent technical knowledge of UK planning regulations.

This role is not suitable for recent Graduate candidates.

The role is based with a local authority in North London, but they are happy to offer flexible working arrangements including part time hours, compressed hours, working from home and staggered start and finish times.

Applications are welcomed from candidates interested in arranging a secondment from their current role either from the public or private sector.

This will initially be offered for 3 months but is expected to be extended beyond this. The rate offered is up to £42/hr and this role is inside. A full JD is available on request.